Bring proof of citizenship, identity, and your current address

When you go to your DMV to get a Real ID, you need to bring three categories of documents: one that proves you are a U.S. citizen, one that proves who you are, and one that shows where you live now. The exact documents accepted vary slightly by state, but the federal Real ID Act sets the baseline requirements. Your state's DMV website lists which documents they accept in each category—check before you go, because showing up with the wrong paperwork means a wasted trip.

Real ID is a federal standard for identification that lets you board domestic flights and enter federal buildings without a passport. Most states began issuing Real ID driver's licenses and ID cards around 2020, and many have now made them the default. If your license does not have a gold star or "REAL ID" printed on it, it is not Real ID compliant, and you will need one to fly domestically after May 7, 2025.

Key Takeaways

  • You must bring one citizenship document (passport, birth certificate, or naturalization papers), one identity document (current driver's license, passport, or state ID), and one address document (utility bill, lease, or bank statement).
  • Your birth certificate must be an official certified copy with a raised seal or embossed stamp—a photocopy or hospital birth record will not work.
  • Address documents must show your name and current address and be dated within the last 60 days, though some states accept older documents.
  • Bring your Social Security number or a Social Security card, because the DMV will verify it during processing.
  • Check your state DMV's website for the exact list of accepted documents before you visit, because each state maintains its own approved list.

Citizenship documents: passport, birth certificate, or naturalization papers

To prove you are a U.S. citizen, bring one of these: a valid U.S. passport, an official certified birth certificate, a Certificate of Naturalization, a Certificate of U.S. Citizenship, or a Consular Report of Birth Abroad. If you use a birth certificate, it must be an official certified copy issued by the vital records office in the state or county where you were born—not a photocopy, not a hospital birth record, and not a document you printed from an online service. The certified copy will have a raised seal, an embossed stamp, or an official signature that you can feel when you run your finger over it.

If you were born outside the United States to a U.S. citizen parent, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240) or a passport issued by the U.S. State Department counts as proof of citizenship. If you became a citizen through naturalization, bring your Certificate of Naturalization or your green card plus your naturalization paperwork. Expired documents are fine—the DMV is checking that the document itself is real, not that it is currently valid.

Identity documents: driver's license, passport, or state ID

Bring one current or recently expired photo ID issued by a government agency. A valid driver's license from any U.S. state works. A valid U.S. passport works. A state-issued ID card works. A military ID, a tribal ID, or a passport card also count. The document does not have to be current—an expired driver's license from five years ago is acceptable—but it must have your photo, your signature, and your date of birth clearly visible.

If you do not have any of these, some states accept a school ID with a photo, a work ID with a photo, or a passport card. Check your state's DMV website to see what they will take if you have no traditional ID. If you have never had a driver's license or state ID before, you may need to bring additional documents—some states require a second identity document or a document from a school or employer in this situation.

Address documents: utility bills, leases, or bank statements

Bring one document that shows your name and your current address. Utility bills work—electric, gas, water, or internet. A lease or rental agreement works. A mortgage statement or property tax bill works. A bank or credit card statement works. Insurance documents (auto, home, or renter's) work. Some states accept a voter registration card or a document from a government agency showing your address.

The document must show your current address—the one you are listing on your Real ID process. Most states require the document to be dated within the last 60 days, though some accept documents up to 90 days old. Check your state's rules. If you recently moved and do not have a new utility bill yet, a lease or a signed rental agreement with the new address usually works. If you live with someone else and the bill is in their name, some states accept it if you bring a second document (like a piece of mail from a government agency) that shows you live there.

Social Security number and verification

Bring your Social Security card or know your Social Security number by heart. The DMV will ask for it and verify it with the Social Security Administration during processing. If you do not have a Social Security number, you cannot get a Real ID—you can get a standard state driver's license or ID instead, but it will not meet federal requirements for flying or entering federal buildings.

If your Social Security card is lost or damaged, you do not need to replace it before your DMV visit. Just tell the DMV your number, and they will verify it. If you are unsure of your number, you can request a replacement card from the Social Security Administration before you go to the DMV, but it is not required.

What to bring if you have changed your name

If your current name does not match the name on your citizenship or identity documents, bring proof of the name change. A marriage certificate, a divorce decree, a court order, or an adoption decree all work. The document must be an official certified copy. If you changed your name through a court, bring the court order. If you changed it through marriage, bring the marriage certificate. Some states also accept a certified copy of a divorce decree that shows your new name.

The name on your Real ID process must match the name on your citizenship document. If your citizenship document says "John Michael Smith" but you go by "Michael Smith," the DMV will use the full name from the citizenship document unless you bring a court order or other legal document showing the name change.

Checklist before you go to the DMV

Print or write down your state's list of accepted documents from the DMV website. Check off each item you are bringing. Bring originals, not photocopies, except where your state specifically says a copy is acceptable. Bring your Social Security card or write down your number. If you have changed your name, bring the legal document proving it. Arrive during hours when the DMV is not busy—early morning or mid-week is usually faster than late afternoon or Friday.

Some DMV locations let you schedule an appointment online. If yours does, book one before you go. Bring a pen in case you need to fill out forms by hand. Bring your current address written down if you are not sure how to spell the street name or if the address is new. If you are under 18, bring a parent or guardian with you—most states require it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a photocopy of my birth certificate?

No. The DMV needs an official certified copy with a raised seal, embossed stamp, or official signature. You can order one from the vital records office in the state or county where you were born. It usually takes one to two weeks and costs between $10 and $30.

What if my address document is older than 60 days?

Check your state's DMV website—some states accept documents up to 90 days old, and a few accept older ones if they are the most recent document you have. If your document is too old, bring a second address document or ask the DMV what they will accept in your situation.

Do I need to bring my Social Security card, or can I just tell them the number?

You can tell them the number. The DMV will verify it with the Social Security Administration. Bringing the card is optional, but it is helpful if you are unsure of your number or if there is a discrepancy between what you remember and what the DMV finds.

What if I was born outside the United States?

Bring a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, a U.S. passport, or a Certificate of U.S. Citizenship. If you have a green card, bring that plus your naturalization paperwork. The DMV will verify your citizenship status with federal databases.

Can someone else pick up my Real ID for me?

No. You must be present when you explore. Some states let you pick up the card by mail or at a different location after it is ready, but you have to explore in person at the DMV.